Equal Pay Day: Why Are Women ‘Working For Free’ Until 2016?

There’s been much talk about the severity of the gender pay gap of late. And now it’s been revealed just how big that gap is in real time…

Yesterday marked Equal Pay Day, the point in the year when the average woman effectively stops being paid compared to the average man. According to campaign group Fawcett Society women in full time work from now until 2016 work for free!

On average full-time men earn £16.77 per hour, compared with £14.39 per hour for full-time women, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The Equal Pay Day falls just five days later than in 2014. But when will we be able to close the gap for good?

At the current rate of progress, it’s been reported it will take 50 years (!) to finally close the pay gap between men and women, equality campaigners say.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of the Fawcett Society says: “There has never been a better opportunity to close the pay gap for good. Progress has stalled in recent years but with real commitment for government and employers, together with action from women and men at work, we could speed up progress towards the day when we can consign it to history.”

David Cameron has already announced his plans for next year to make companies with more than 250 workers disclose the pay gap in their workplaces.

While many A-listers from Jennifer Lawrence to Jessica Chastain have spoken out about the gender pay gap in Hollywood – there’s one actress who isn’t so comfortable talking about monetary issues…

Steve Jobs actress Kate Winslet recently revealed: “I understand why they are coming up but maybe it’s a British thing. I don’t like talking about money; it’s a bit vulgar isn’t it?” She added, “”I am a very lucky woman and I’m quite happy with how things are ticking along.”